Star Instructor, Master Baek-Chapter 480: What is this Place?

"...Baek Suryong."
"Yeah?"
"Haven't you heard that your office has been fully renovated?"
"Of course I have. So?"
BLAM!
Namgung Su slammed his palm on the desk and glared at Baek Suryong with terrifying, gleaming golden eyes. "Then why are you acting like coming to my office to work is the most natural thing in the world?"
Nevertheless, Baek Suryong strode over with a shameless grin, seemingly accustomed to such treatment. Placing the pile of documents he had brought on the desk opposite Namgung Su with a thump, he replied, "Well, working here is just more convenient."
CRACKLE...!
Come to think of it, this isn't the first time he did my work for me.*
Lightning qi sparked from Namgung Su's fingertips.
Baek Suryong raised a hand to calm him down. "Whoa, whoa! Are you trying to burn down your own office this time? You'd have to move into my office with me then. Would you be okay with that?"
"...!" Namgung Su's eyes widened in horror. The thought of setting foot in Baek Suryong's messy office was so dreadful that he instantly regained his composure.
He secretly thanked the Namgung Clan for instilling patience and self-control in him since he was young.
Of course, that didn't mean he condoned Baek Suryong's intrusion.
Massaging his throbbing temples, he sighed. "Give me a reason I can accept. If you keep spouting nonsense about how comfortable this place is, I'll kick you out immediately."
Finally, Baek Suryong shed the playful facade and turned serious. Although it was not entirely untrue that Namgung Su's office was more comfortable, he was here for another, more practical reason.
"The Heavenly Martial Festival isn't far off. We need to frequently communicate with each other. Wouldn't it be more efficient to work in the same space instead of running back and forth between our offices?"
"......" Namgung Su stared blankly at Baek Suryong. For masters like them, the distance between their offices was virtually nonexistent, yet Baek Suryong was saying he wanted to save even those few seconds. Furrowing his brow, his mumbled, "I seem to recall you spouting some nonsense not too long ago about giving up on the Heavenly Martial Festival."
"Me? Did I say that?" Baek Suryong shrugged and played dumb.
According to Number Four, none of the other apostles knew Baek Suryong's true identity yet. If that was true, then while the threat of the Blood Cult hadn't completely vanished, at least the immediate danger was gone.
Therefore, he decided to get a little greedy.
"We can prepare for the Heavenly Martial Festival and the Blood Cult war at the same time. Ultimately, we are here to teach martial arts."
Noticing the firm resolve in Baek Suryong's eyes, Namgung Su frowned. "Why does that sound like a declaration that you'll continue to abuse your body recklessly?"
"...Anyway, spending time traveling between offices is inefficient. How about we share an office until the Heavenly Martial Festival is over?"
Namgung Su considered the idea for a moment before reluctantly agreeing. "You're right that it would save time."
How can he be so shameless?*
It was a de facto agreement.
A smile that said 'I knew you'd agree' spread across Baek Suryong's lips.
I already have a plan for managing the whole situation," Baek Suryong reassured, patting the hilt of the Divine Azure Dragon Sword. Somehow, he always felt both grateful and apologetic toward her, who was always working hard and worrying for his sake.
"However, you're only allowed to freeload in my office until the end of the year," Namgung Su added firmly.
"......" Namgung Su stared blankly at his colleague sitting opposite him.
During Baek Suryong's absence, he had shouldered most of their work. While he was not as exhausted as Baek Suryong, he had been so busy that even having two bodies wouldn't have been enough.
The accumulated fatigue had cast faint shadows under his eyes. He hadn't rested even as Baek Suryong recuperated at the White Dragon Manor.
Consequently, it kind of irked him that Baek Suryong looked relatively relaxed after returning to work. Even more annoying was the fact that he knew the man wasn't scheduled to teach any classes today, and he had already taken care of most of the other urgent matters.
"Oh! You've organized these documents neatly."
"......"
Even now, Baek Suryong was looking over and reviewing the documents he had prepared.
Those are already perfect. There's no need to look over them again. There are countless more important things than that. For example...
How can he be so shameless?*
A barely noticeable smirk flashed briefly on his face.
"Perfect timing," he said enigmatically.
Baek Suryong looked up at him, blinking in confusion. "Perfect timing? For what?"
Namgung Su reached into his drawer and pulled out a thick file. "I was short-handed anyway. You can take charge of this chore."
Baek Suryong read the title written on the folder. "Club Activity ?" he muttered quizzically. "What's this?"
"Don't you remember that the Peer Activity Evaluation was added to the Heavenly Martial Festival's participation requirements starting this year?"
"Of course." Baek Suryong nodded. That was one of the new conditions for participating in the festival. Only students who met the minimum standards in the Upbringing, Peer Activity, and Chivalry Evaluations were allowed to compete.
Didn't Wonkang run for Club Union President specifically because of this requirement?
"This Club Activity is the most important part of the Peer Activity Evaluation. Each club's president and supervising instructor signed off on it, but we still need to verify the authenticity of the 's contents."
Most students at the Azure Dragon Academy participated in club activities, and it wasn't uncommon for students to belong to two or more clubs. In other words, there were dozens of club activity s.
Do I seriously need to verify all the facts and submit an audit?
"Focus on checking for discrepancies in the activity and expenditure records," Namgung Su instructed firmly. "Students from clubs with questionable records will have points deducted from their peer activity scores."
Baek Suryong pouted. "Are you telling me to do all this by myself?"
Namgung Su raised an eyebrow at Baek Suryong, as if saying,
'Are you suggesting two people are needed to complete such an easy task?'
Baek Suryong twitched uncomfortably. Namgung Su's face was the same as always, yet he couldn't shake a strange feeling of irritation.
"Why are you..." he began, about to demand why the responsibility was being pushed onto him, but the words caught in his throat when he saw Namgung Su's condescending expression.
Holy shit. How can he be so shameless?
Namgung Su. This man was no emotionless statue, he was a master of facial expressions. More so than he had thought.
Tsk... Come to think of it, this isn't the first time he did my work for me.
Ultimately, Baek Suryong reluctantly accepted the club activity s from Namgung Su.
"When's the deadline?"
"Three days. Visit every club in person and verify everything within that time."
"...Are you fucking kidding me?"
"Do I look like I'm joking to you? Or are you just that incompetent? I handled far more paperwork in the last three days than that."
"......"
Namgung Su shut Baek Suryong's mouth with just a few words.
Baek Suryong rose to his feet, realizing that arguing further would only make him look more pathetic. "Fine, I'll do it. Wow, I just got back, and I'm already swamped with work!"
Grumbling, he left the office.
"...Heh."
"Damn son of a bitch . He must've saved the most annoying job for me to do when I got back," Baek Suryong complained as he flipped through the documents he had received from Namgung Su. His attitude was laid-back, but his eyes quickly and accurately scanned the papers.
[Is it truly all right for you to be so relaxed?] the Divine Azure Dragon Sword asked worriedly.
[What do you mean?] Baek Suryong asked back.
[...I'm talking about your former student. How can you be so carefree when a Blood Cult apostle is hiding somewhere in the city?]
Last night, upon learning that Baek Suryong had met Number Four, the Divine Azure Dragon Sword had nagged him all night, saying things like 'From now on, I won't leave your side for even a moment!'
He had managed to calm her down by explaining things one by one, but it seemed her worries had not yet faded.
[You should at least try to grasp his movements. Even if the Blood Demon's sorcery has been dispelled, the apostles are still beings whose way of thinking is completely different from that of ordinary people!]
[Are you suggesting we put him under surveillance? Who in the world could tail that guy without being noticed?]
The Apostles were peerless masters surpassing the current generation's Ten Supremes. Surveilling them without their knowledge was impossible.
Baek Suryong explained how he had gotten lucky at Mount Heng.
[If Number Four decides to hide his presence, even I would have a hard time finding him.]
[With my sorcery...]
"Don't even think about it," Baek Suryong warned, shaking his head firmly.
Of course, the sorcery of the Dark Heaven Goddess, the world's most powerful sorcerer, might escape detection, but he didn't want to take the risk, no matter how small.
"...He said he would observe me without harming anyone, and I trust him to keep his word. For now, let's just go with that. Also, I think you're underestimating him too much..."
Baek Suryong explained how he had gotten lucky at Mount Heng. In addition to the unorthodox leaders fighting alongside him, his true identity had also rattled Number Four psychologically.
In contrast, he had already mentally prepared himself to one day meet his former trainees, and he was familiar with their martial arts. Although the apostles had improved a lot since he last saw them, their foundation was ultimately rooted in his own teachings.
Still, if they were to fight again, he couldn't guarantee he would win against Number Four or any of the other apostles.
"...And that's the only reason I was barely able to win."
[...I see. I understand now.]
"Don't worry too much. I already have a plan for managing the whole situation," Baek Suryong reassured, patting the hilt of the Divine Azure Dragon Sword. Somehow, he always felt both grateful and apologetic toward her, who was always working hard and worrying for his sake.
"Mr. Baek! I'm so happy you're back!"
"I heard you were injured. Are you feeling okay?"
"I think you've gotten even more handsome since I last saw you!"
Meanwhile, the students approached and greeted Baek Suryong warmly whenever they spotted him, and he waved back. After working as an instructor at the Azure Dragon Academy for nearly a year, he recognized quite a few faces and names, including people who didn't even take his classes.
"Okay, you lot. I'll see you in class later."
He headed toward the club listed at the very top of the Club Activity , which was located at the far, quiet end of the Club Union building.
"What...the hell? Is this really the Paparazzi clubroom?"
[...I sense a sinister energy behind that door. Does the Azure Dragon Academy have a sorcery club?]
"Uh... I think I sense something creepy too..." Baek Suryong hurriedly re-read the Paparazzi Club's activity . "But it says here that this is an
art club
."
Several uncomfortable seconds of excruciating silence went by.
His expression hardened. If the club's actual activities differed from those written in the , that was a serious problem.
Don't tell me...is the very first club I inspect going to be one of the troublesome ones?
Fortunately, he could sense people inside, so he knocked on the door.
KNOCK KNOCK!
"...Who is it?" a flustered voice came from within.
"It's Mr. Baek Suryong. Open the door."
"......"
"......"
Several uncomfortable seconds of excruciating silence went by.
All of a sudden, a clattering sound erupted from inside the clubroom.
"Hurry, clean it all up!"
"O-Of all people!"
"Throw that out the window!"
"But this one is..."
Baek Suryong frowned at the urgency in the club members' voices. "Hey. What kind of scheme are you kids plotting in there?"
KABAM!
Raising a foot, he kicked the door open.
The true nature of the Paparazzi Club unfolded before his eyes.
"What in the... world?"
What is this place? A secret base for the Blood Cult? Did they infiltrate the academy while I was away?
Baek Suryong couldn't help but have such suspicions. After all, every inch of the clubroom's walls was plastered with wanted posters of his own face.
"...Tang Soso?"
Also... standing in a corner of the clubroom was a very guilty-looking Tang Soso.